AAA Discounts?

[lifesgr8]

I am planning a first time trip to WDW in Jan 2012. I have a Disney chase visa and also an AAA member. I have already used my timeshare to book 7 nights of our stay at the BCV. BUT, I will need to book the last night of our stay at a value resort. With 2 rooms since we will not fit in one room or the family suite at the value. I also need to buy tickets.

Before I just call and buy/book, I am wondering if I should be looking for discounts available for what I still need to buy? The AAA website isnt very clear as to what discounts they offer, and the search engine on their site is not coming up with anything. We do have some disney points to use for our chase card, I so far am planning on using those for food in the park since I wont be able to take advantage of the free dining.

Any suggestions? With my chase rewards or AAA any discounts known out there?

I have sent for the vacation planning dvd but, have not seen any emails with any pin codes for our room, I am only getting discount mail for Disneyland for this fall?

I am toying with the idea of buying the DL & WDW combined annual passes since we live closer to DL but, boy that is alot out of pocket at once?! There are 7 of us.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would give serious consideration to taking the plunge and buying the Disney Premier Passes. Yes, they are expensive. However, a DL Deluxe Pass is $379 and Premium Pass is $499.

For your one day needed you would be able to use an AP room only discounted rate. You will also be able to purchase the Tables in Wonderland, which is a card that would cost $75 but allow a 20% discount on food and beverages (including alcoholic) at almost every sit-down restaurant in the Parks and Resorts and some Quick Service locations.

The Premier Pass also give a 20% discount on merchandise at many locations.

 

[lifesgr8]

I would need to buy the ap that allows me to visit WDW and DL which is $749. I think to get my $$$ worth, I would have to visit wdw twice and dl 1 (atleast) Do I get those discounts if I have that type of pass?

I see that I can only buy that pass at the parks, so would I be able to apply the discount to my room once I checked in?

 

[wish*i*was*in*the*vi]

You can book a AAA room discount directly through Disney, I would call them, the AAA website is less than helpful when trying to figure out rates.
I believe the value resorts in January 2012 during a value season weekday were $94 with tax.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Try calling AAA to get your information.

One thing about an annual pass is that it's good for a full year. If you tend to go annually, then maybe next year you could go one week earlier and get in two January trips that way. (plus double room discounts)

AAA also offers som dicounts on MYW park tickets. it's not huge, but it is something.

There is also a % discount for the general public out now. I think at values it's 20%.


One more reminder - your Disney Visa gives you some SMALL discounts at WDW on merchandise. an AP does too - but they are similar.

If you go with an AP, then the TIW card woudl be another source of discount. The extra 20% at TS might make an AP the way to go.

 

[krb2g]

When we booked at BWI in July for our upcoming December trip, we booked under an AAA discount (didn't know if there was one at the time, just asked when we called Disney). It came out to about 13% on our room only reservation. We have since changed to a 30% discount that came out for the general public.

 

[GenGen22]

I booked my trip with AAA and I think it depends on the time of year that you go wheather they have discounts or not on rooms. I would call them and get a quote and check vs. the WDW website to see the diference. It has all the rates listed on there listed under hotel/room types & pricing/season you will be staying. As far as discounts on tickets you can look up under AAA/travel/disney destinations/WDW buy ticktes. Also, Undercovertourist.com has discounts on tickets as well and the price includes shipping and tax.

 

[Grumpy_mom]

We've gone the annual pass route and the AAA route. The room discounts are better with the annual pass and we found the ticket/room package rates to be the same or better booking directly with Disney rather than AAA. Having said that we just got back from a trip to WDW that we booked thru AAA. The main benefit with AAA is the diamond parking pass. The diamond parking is next to the handicap parking. It's about as close to the gate that you can get.

 

[Montegut]

I did a quote on the Disney site for our package, and it is a good deal more than our Triple A package. I also have some perks that I considered getting the premium or platinum package for, like discounts on tours, etc, but I probably won't be using those.

I'm looking forward to the special fireworks seating and photo or meet and greet sessions that I'll get with my Triple A, and the special meet and greet with my Disney Visa, which I just got.

I was very disappointed with my room discount, though, at only 10 percent, especially since we're staying Deluxe (Contemporary), with a Magic Kingdom view. I can't change my travel dates, since we want to be at Disney for our 30th anniversary, and unfortunately, it always lands Columbus week, so there's no big discount. Add to that, Food and Wine and the Halloween Party, which makes what we thought would be a slow period, now a demand period.

But, I use Triple A a lot (for travel, breakdowns) and I've always been pleased with the service. In this case, I have an actual agent that has been so helpful with researching things for me. And she also told me that if I find other discounts, she will apply them. So, I'm on the lookout for any discounts, offers, that may come up.

 

[chinarider]

what is this and how do you go about using it? Any info is helpful thanks

 

[walshj99]

We used AAA to purchase tickets last time and while the discount was negligible, the parking pass was fabulous. It saved us at least 30 minutes of walking a day--more like an hour when we left and returned the same day. That's more time in the parks and less time waiting for a tram. We always stay off-site, so being able to drive right up to the TTC is worth every $ I pay for AAA membership. (Plus, I get discounts on the hotels we stay in on the drive to and from our Missouri home).

 

[nkereina]

what is this and how do you go about using it? Any info is helpful thanks

We did the preferred fireworks viewing in September. You have to book your package with AAA, and they will send you a voucher for it with your documents. You have to call the number on the voucher and make reservations for it, as space is limited. The viewing spot is on the Plaza landing where the tables are. The entrance to the area is on Main Street and it was roped off, and we had to give our voucher to the CM (it had our name and travel dates on it) and he cross referenced it with a list of reservations, and let us in. The viewing spot was ok, but the best part was not standing shoulder to shoulder with other people. Its only allowed once per trip since you get one voucher, wish we could have done it the second night we watched Wishes.

As far as AAA discounts go - I used to work there. Every club is different so you should check with yours, but you can book a room direct through Disney (or AAA) and receive the AAA rate if its available. Only a certain number of rooms are allowed at this rate, so it may or may not be available. If you want to book a package, you can get a similar discount on a package. Also, your office may sell tickets in the office. Ours in Buffalo did and anything 3 days or longer was discounted for AAA members. We had the tickets in office and would load them with how many days and options you wanted, and you left with them in hand. The discount wasn't significant unless you were buying several days, but I guess it's better than nothing.

 

[AnjieNet]

We used AAA to purchase tickets last time and while the discount was negligible, the parking pass was fabulous. It saved us at least 30 minutes of walking a day--more like an hour when we left and returned the same day. That's more time in the parks and less time waiting for a tram. We always stay off-site, so being able to drive right up to the TTC is worth every $ I pay for AAA membership. (Plus, I get discounts on the hotels we stay in on the drive to and from our Missouri home).

Another Missouri girl here. You were able to get the Diamond parking from the purchase of tickets only? I was under the impression you had to buy a package. We've always gotten it with the package and haven't needed it because we use Disney buses but this time we are staying off-site and needing tickets only. The premiere parking would be fabulous! Did you just go into a location (KC area perhaps?) and buy them instead of buying online through their website?

 

[nkereina]

Another Missouri girl here. You were able to get the Diamond parking from the purchase of tickets only? I was under the impression you had to buy a package. We've always gotten it with the package and haven't needed it because we use Disney buses but this time we are staying off-site and needing tickets only. The premiere parking would be fabulous! Did you just go into a location (KC area perhaps?) and buy them instead of buying online through their website?

Parking pass policy varies by club, sometimes even by office. Some of our agents in Western NY would only give out the parking passes if you booked a package with them. Some would give you one if you just bought tickets there. Some would give you one if you were just a member. So it really varies, it depends on how strict your club is. The passes that come with the packages now have your name and travel dates printed on them. I wouldn't be surprised if they are trying to have a more set policy and have names and dates printed on all of them, also to deter people selling them and non-members using them.

 

[dreskates]

Anjienet - which KC location? I'm thinking of booking through AAA but was not totally happy with the one rep I spoke with, she just wasn't very "up" on anything Disney. I had to tell her things. The one I'm talking about is on Metcalf. She was very nice, just not up to date. The savings were minimal for an Oct 2012 trip at this moment.

 

[Attagirl3]

I'm thinking about signing up for AAA since we will be driving to WDW in April. I found this on the FAQ page of their website:

What is parking like at Disney World?

You will be required to pay for parking as you enter the lot. However, with the purchase of Disney World tickets, you'll receive a voucher allowing access to the Diamond Parking lot at the current price (certain blackout dates may apply). The Diamond Parking lot is located near the gate entrance.

Note: The voucher is not a free parking pass, members will be required to pay the regular parking price.

 

[AnjieNet]

Anjienet - which KC location? I'm thinking of booking through AAA but was not totally happy with the one rep I spoke with, she just wasn't very "up" on anything Disney. I had to tell her things. The one I'm talking about is on Metcalf. She was very nice, just not up to date. The savings were minimal for an Oct 2012 trip at this moment.

We are looking at October 2012 as well! I've usually gone to the Metcalf location as well. My agent was Joan Lydick and she was very informative. I've used her 3 times for WDW and DSL, though not since 2009 so I'm not sure if she's still there or still well informed. The savings with AAA have always been minimal when I've booked as well but I did like the little perks you get when booking with them. And then letting someone else deal with headaches that could possibly come up though we never had a single problem.

 

[MHSweb79]

We liked the AAA Diamond Parking pass very much. If you are staying on-site or have an Annual Pass, parking at any park is free. If you are staying off-site, it's $14 per day but you can park at more than one park in the same day for the same fee- just save your receipt.

We liked the AAA Diamond parking areas most at Epcot (practically right outside the front gate - awesome!) and Animal Kingdom - just a quick walk along the tree line to the entrance. At HS it was hit-or-miss. Sometimes we were really close and other times it was quite a hike.

For MK, you park at the Ticket & Transportation Center and frankly, I think you're better off in the general parking lots. The AAA lot is next to the Handicapped area (as it is at the other parks) and there is NO TRAM SERVICE to this lot. It is quite a long trek to the TTC from where you park. I kept saying, "What do these poor handicapped people do?" If you are staying on-site, I would strongly recommend taking the Disney bus for any trips to the MK.

We have an excellent AAA office quite near our house, and there's a very good Disney travel specialist there. Sometimes I book my own trips and other times I use AAA. I always make my own ADR's so I don't really need a travel agent, but it can be very handy.